Animal health and welfare services in Blaenau Gwent will be delivered by Powys County Council after the plans were given the go-ahead by both authorities, it has been announced.
The agreement will see officers from Powys undertake animal health and welfare duties within Blaenau Gwent.
Councils in Wales are responsible for enforcing a range of animal health and welfare legislation and this cross boundary arrangement, which meets the Welsh Government’s Collaboration Agenda, will ensure that the statutory service continues in Blaenau Gwent.
This is the latest collaboration agreement that Powys’ Trading Standards Service has entered into after agreeing to enter their sheep movement data into the national sheep movement database for Shropshire and Merthyr Tydfil councils.
Jeremy Patterson, Chief Executive of Powys County Council, said: “All councils in Wales are looking carefully at their services to see if they can be provided in a more efficient way. By working together, we will be able to provide an efficient animal health and welfare service covering both counties.”
Ken Yorston, Powys County Council’s Trading Standards Manager, said: “Given the size and rural nature of Powys and the volume of work we currently undertake, we have developed one of the leading animal health and welfare services in Wales. We are well positioned to carry out this important function and our officers will provide professional advice and assistance to those in the Blaenau Gwent area who require the animal health and welfare service but also investigate any animal health breaches and take appropriate action.”
David Thompson, Blaenau Gwent Council’s Head of Housing & Environmental Health, said: “We are pleased to be working in partnership at a time when collaboration is more important than ever. Officers from both councils will ensure that the transition is managed smoothly to provide an excellent service across both boroughs.”
